Mayor Bill Ribble, Zachary Burch and Vice-Mayor Katy Errington
The meeting started with an update on the I-75 construction project by Zachary Burch, Florida Department of Transportation. He stated that the $8.6 million project is on schedule to be completed in the spring. New street lights have been installed; once they are operational, the old ones will be taken down. The on/off ramps are being extended by 1500 ft., and the dual left turn lanes on Corkscrew Road will also assist with the flow of traffic. The sidewalks are being raised and they are re-profiling the ditches, making them wider. They will implement an enhanced landscaping design in a few years to coordinate with Village plans.
Public Comment on non-agenda items: 2 residents spoke about the benefits of playing pickleball and requesting the Village support a pickleball complex in Estero’s Parks and Recreation master plan, and 1 resident spoke against allowing a marijuana grow farm.
Action Items
Resolution No. 2020-22
Council approved this resolution appointing Nick Batos to fulfill the remainder of his term until March 2, 2021. Councilmember Batos resigned his office when becoming a candidate for the Lee County Commission, creating a vacancy on the Estero Council for District 6 that would not otherwise be filled before March 15, 2021. (Resolution)
Village of Estero Style Guide
Council approved the new Village of Estero Style Guide which provides an outline as to how the Village’s logo should be used and when different versions of the logo are to be used. It also provides details on the colors used in the logo. The new logo should be placed on the Village Hall within the next couple of months. (Style Guide)
Appeal of Design Review Board decision
Council voted to accept the changes approved by the Design Review Board regarding the Longitude 81 Apartments repainting color scheme. The apartments are located on the west side of Ben Hill Griffin Parkway, north of Miromar Outlets.
Public Comment on non-agenda items: 1 eComment card was read into the record requesting the Village to reject the proposed apartments on Coconut Road and Three Oaks Parkway and to build a park at that location instead.
Workshop Items
Capital Improvement Project process
Public Works Director David Willems gave a short presentation on standardizing how the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) process is implemented.
The process involves four key stages. A project can be added to the CIP through master plans, community surveys or public input. The concept design is presented to Council and a consultant is selected, which helps determine costs of the project. This is followed by the design and permitting stage and then construction.
This process will be followed for all CIP projects. (Presentation)
Land Development Code
When the Village of Estero incorporated, the Lee County Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code became Estero’s transitional documents.
Community Development Director Mary Gibbs explained that the Village adopted its first Comprehensive Plan last year. The Land Development Code, which lays out zoning and other regulations for subdivisions and development of land, will serve as a guide for the Village’s future. It is so voluminous that it’s going to be presented in two parts in public hearings starting this month through January 6. (Meeting schedule)
Residents may view the archived meeting by going to the Village website https://estero-fl.gov/agendas/
The next Council meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 21, 2020.